Dubai: After fearing that he would never play rugby again, Tony Roques is on the comeback trail and hoping to help St Georges Samurai win the International Invitation event.
The 28-year-old former member of the England sevens squad was out of the game for 14 months after suffering a shocking leg injury while playing for Exeter Chiefs.
Five operations were needed to repair the damage followed by months of intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation work with John Moore. And 'Rocky', a Dubai winner with England two years ago, now hopes to stay on target for a return to the full squad thanks to his performances for the Samurai who act as a second string for the national side.
He said: "Part of my leg was smashed into hundreds of pieces, and my wife was told at one point that I would be lucky to walk properly again so I've come a long way.
"I'm never going to take my fitness for granted again and will enjoy every moment because I know that it could end at any second." Roques made all his experience count as Samurai squeezed into the semi-finals with a 19-17 victory over Steelers who could have taken the game into extra time had they landed a difficult conversion in the final seconds. Tom Hockedy also made a big impact for Samurai, pulling off a try-saving tackle in one corner just before the break and then popping up in the other for a crucial score soon after the restart. Samurai now face Moscow-based VVA Podmoskovje who edged out KooGa Wailers 20-12.
In the other half of the draw, Kentz Drifters rallied from conceding an early try to hold off Borneo Eagles 14-5.
